[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S.

Provisional Application Serial No. 61/819,824 filed on May 6, 2013 the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to drying ceramic greenwares, and in particular relates to systems and methods for rapid drying of ceramic greenwares that have a high graphite content.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Ceramic greenwares having an array of microchannels are formed by extrusion and then processed (i.e., dried and fired) to form ceramic articles, such as filters and catalytic converters for exhaust-producing engines and related applications. Ceramic greenwares can be formed by extruding a plasticized batch comprising ceramic-forming components, or ceramic precursors, through a die, such as a die that produces a honeycomb structure, to form an extrudate of the ceramic-forming material. The extrudate that exits the extruder is cut transversely to the direction of extrusion to form a greenware piece. The piece may itself be transversely cut into shorter pieces after drying. In some cases, the longer piece is referred to as a "log." Extruded pieces of greenware contain water (for example, 10%-25% by weight), and the greenware needs to be dried prior to the formation of the final product (article). In some cases, the ceramic greenware needs to be dried to greater than 98% (i.e., to having less than 2% moisture content by weight).

[0004] Certain ceramic greenwares have a relatively high graphite content and are used to make articles having a higher porosity, thinner channel walls and overall lower thermal mass for fast light off. However, increased levels of graphite in the batch make the resulting ceramic greenwares challenging to dry. In particular, the microwave drying of high-graphite ceramic greenwares tends to be non-uniform and can result in overheating that can damage the greenware. SUMMARY

[0005] The systems and methods herein are directed to the rapid and substantially defect- free drying of low-thermal-mass ceramic greenwares formed by extrusion. This disclosure also enhances drying times for standard products. This inventive drying is achieved by the combination of microwave drying and forced-hot-air drying through the cell channels once exterior shrinkage is largely complete. The systems can be retrofitted on existing dryers.

[0006] An aspect of the disclosure includes a method of drying an extruded ceramic greenware having an array of open longitudinal cells and opposite input and output ends. The method includes: performing at least one microwave drying of the ceramic greenware to a dryness of about 70% to form a partially dried ceramic greenware; operably arranging the input end of the partially dried ceramic greenware relative to an output end of a close- coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying system to define a coupling distance Δχ having a value in a range defined by -2" < Δχ < 10"; performing at least one CCHA drying of the partially dried ceramic greenware to form a dried ceramic greenware having a target dryness of at least 98% by passing CCHA through the ceramic greenware from the input end to the output end; and wherein the ceramic greenware has dielectric constant ε = ε' + ίε" that defines a loss tangent tan(6) = ε"/ε'≥ 0.05.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosure is a method of drying an extruded ceramic greenware having an array of open longitudinal cells and opposite input and output ends. The method includes: drying the ceramic greenware to form a partially dried ceramic greenware having a dryness of 10% or less, wherein the drying includes performing a first close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying with a coupling distance Δχ having a value in a range defined by -2" < Δχ < 10" (-5.07 cm < Δχ < 25.4 cm) ; drying the partially dried ceramic greenware to a target dryness of at least 98% to form a dried ceramic greenware, wherein drying the partially dried ceramic greenware includes performing at least one of microwave drying and at least a second CCHA drying; and wherein the ceramic greenware from 0% to 10% dryness has a dielectric constant ε = ε' + ίε" that defines a loss tangent tan(6) = ε"/ε' > 0.05.

[0008] Another aspect of the disclosure is a method of drying an extruded ceramic greenware having an array of open longitudinal cells and opposite input and output ends. The method includes: a) drying the ceramic greenware to form a partially dried ceramic greenware by performing one of microwave drying and close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying, wherein the CCHA drying is performed with a coupling distance Δχ having a value in a range defined by -2" < Δχ < 10" ( -5.07 cm < Δχ < 25.4 cm); b) drying the partially dried ceramic greenware to a target dryness of at least 98% to form a dried ceramic greenware using the other of the microwave drying or CCHA drying performed in a); and c) wherein the ceramic greenware has a dielectric constant ε = ε' + ίε" that defines a loss tangent

[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure is an apparatus for drying an extruded ceramic greenware having an array of open longitudinal cells and opposite input and output ends. The apparatus includes: at least one applicator adapted to perform microwave drying of the ceramic greenware to form a partially dried ceramic greenware; at least one applicator adapted to perform close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying with a coupling distance Δχ having a value in a range defined by -2" < Δχ < 10" ( -5.07 cm < Δχ < 25.4 cm) and adapted to dry the partially dried ceramic greenware to a target dryness of at least 98% to form a dried ceramic greenware; and wherein the ceramic greenware has a dielectric constant ε = ε' + ίε" that defines a loss tangent tan(6) = ε"/ε' > 0.05.

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure includes an apparatus for drying an extruded ceramic greenware having an array of open longitudinal cells and opposite input and output ends. The apparatus includes: at least one applicator adapted to perform close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) with a coupling distance Δχ having a value in a range defined by

-2" < Δχ < 10" (-5.07 cm < Δχ < 25.4 cm) and adapted to dry the greenware to form a partially ceramic greenware having up to 10% dryness; at least one applicator adapted to perform microwave drying of the partially dried ceramic greenware to a target dryness of 98% or greater; and wherein the ceramic greenware from 0% to 10% dryness has a dielectric constant ε = ε' + ίε" that defines a loss tangent tan(6) = ε"/ε' > 0.05.

[0011] These and other advantages of the disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following Detailed Description, claims and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a ceramic greenware and includes two close-up inset views II and 12 that show the details of the longitudinal cells.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of the front end of a ceramic greenware that shows in a close-up inset view defective Z-cells that have a distorted Z-shape as caused by uneven heating at the ends of the ceramic greenware as compared to the middle during microwave drying.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a drying system that includes a series of applicators through which the ceramic greenware is conveyed during the drying process.

[0015] FIGS. 4A through 4H are similar to FIG. 3 and illustrate drying-system

configurations and associated ceramic-greenware drying methods that employ various combinations of microwave (MW) drying and close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying.

[0016] FIGS. 5A and 5B are views of an applicator looking in the -z direction and showing a ceramic greenware therein, and also showing a CCHA drying system opera bly arranged relative to the ceramic greenware, with FIG. 5B additionally including the MW-drying capability.

[0017] FIGS. 6A through 61 are close-up views of the ceramic greenware front end and illustrate different configurations of the ceramic greenware and the CCHA drying system to illustrate CCHA drying methods.

[0018] FIG. 7A is a plot of the coupling efficiency CE (%) versus the coupling distance Δχ (cm) based on a fluid-dynamics simulation that illustrates the effect of coupling efficiency on coupling distance for hot-air input velocities V| of 4 m/s (squares) and 2 m/s (triangles).

[0019] FIG. 7B is a plot of the exit velocity V _E (m/s) versus the coupling distance Δχ (inches) for an input velocity V| of 20 m/s for pressures of 40 psi (triangles), 60 psi

(diamonds) and 80 psi (squares).

DETAI LED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reference is now made in detail to various embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or like reference numbers and symbols are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and one skilled in the art will recognize where the drawings have been simplified to illustrate the key aspects of the disclosure.

[0021] The claims as set forth below are incorporated into and constitute a part of this Detailed Description.

[0022] Cartesian coordinates are provided in some of the Figures for the sake of reference and for ease of description and are not intended to be limiting as to direction or orientation.

[0023] In the discussion below, the term "dryness" refers to an average dryness, which can be determined by weighing a wet ceramic greenware to establish a starting weight, then drying the greenware, then weighing the ceramic greenware again to compare the weight loss as a percentage of the starting weight.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of an example ceramic greenware 10. As used herein, the term "ceramic greenware," or greenware, refers to bodies comprised of ceramic-forming components that form ceramic bodies when fired at high temperature.

[0025] The ceramic greenware 10 has a central axis Al, a front end 12, a back end 14, and an outer surface 16. The ceramic greenware 10 has an array of longitudinally running cells 20 that are open at front and back ends 12 and 14 of the greenware (see first close-up inset II). The cells 20 are defined by cell walls 22 (see second close-up inset 12). In an example, cells 20 form a honeycomb structure.

[0026] In an example embodiment, the ceramic greenwares 10 considered herein have the following properties: a length L = 5" to 50" (12.7 cm to 127 cm), a diameter D = 3" to 20" (7.62 cm to 35.56), a cell density p = 100 to 900 cells per square inch, and a cell-wall thickness TH = 1 to 15 mil (25.4 microns to 381 microns).

[0027] The ceramic greenware 10 (or the ceramic batch from which the greenware is formed) may comprise ceramic components, such as a mixture of various ceramic-forming components and a ceramic component. The various components can be mixed together with a liquid vehicle, such as water, and extruded with a formed shape such as a honeycomb structure. Immediately after extrusion, the greenware contains some liquid (e.g., water), and typically at least some of the liquid must be removed and the greenware must be dried prior to firing at high temperature, which forms a refractory material.

[0028] The ceramic greenwares 10 are considered herein to have a certain amount of loss characterized as a function of ε' and ε" (i.e., the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant ε = ε'+ ίε") by the relationship tan(6) = ε"/ε'. In one example of ceramic greenware 10, tan(6) = ε"/ε'≥ 0.05, while in another example, tan(6) > 0.08. In an example embodiment, ceramic greenware 10 includes graphite as a pore former.

[0029] In an embodiment where ceramic greenware 10 includes graphite, the graphite content is > 5%, this weight percent being measured as (Α/Β)·100, wherein A is the weight percent of graphite and B is the total weight percent of inorganics. Thus, for example, in the example set forth in Table 2 below, the graphite content is given by (20/100)·100 = 5%.

[0030] Example values for tan(6) for example ceramic greenwares 10 are provided in Table 1, below.

[0031] Where OFA is open frontal area. Examples 1 and 2 are dry (e.g., about 60%-100% dryness). Examples 3, 4, and 5 are wet (e.g., about 0%-40% dryness or about 0%-10% dryness). Table 2 below sets forth an example high-graphite-content ceramic greenware composition as in Examples 1 and 2.

silica 21.96

Totals 100

PORE FORMERS graphite 20.00

starch 20.00

Totals 140

SOLID methylcellulose 4.50 BINDERS/ORGANICS

Totals 144.5

LIQUID ADDITIONS fatty acid, tall oil 1.20

DURI NG DRY BLENDING

Totals 145.7

Grand Total = 145.70

[0032] Table 3 below sets forth an example non-high-graphite-content ceramic greenware composition as in Examples 3, 4, and 5.

[0033] The ceramic greenwares 10 as considered herein can be formed by extruding a plasticized batch material comprising ceramic-forming components, or ceramic precursors (e.g., such as set forth above in Table 2), through a die, such as a die that produces a honeycomb structure, to form an extrudate of the ceramic-forming material. The extrudate that exits the extruder is cut transversely to the direction of extrusion to form a greenware piece. The piece may itself be transversely cut into shorter pieces, e.g., after drying. In some cases, the longer piece is referred to as a "log." Extruded pieces of ceramic greenware 10 contain water (for example, 10%-25% by weight), and the ceramic greenware needs to be dried prior to the formation of the final product (article).

[0034] The systems and methods disclosed herein reduce the occurrence and/or intensity of non-uniform heating and drying that result from drying the ceramic greenware to the extent that is sufficient for preparing the greenware for firing at high temperature. In particular, the drying systems and methods disclosed herein are directed to rapidly drying the ceramic greenware in a manner that su bstantially reduces or eliminates end defects.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a view of front end 12 of an example ceramic greenware 10 that shows an example of "Z cells" 20Z, which are defective cells 20 having a distorted Z-shape, as best seen in the close-up inset view. The Z-cell defects are caused during microwave drying by a drop in the amount of microwave power at front and back ends 12 and 14 of ceramic greenware 10 relative to the center. This causes the collapse of some of cells 20, which thereby form Z-cells 20Z. The collapse tends to occur within a depth of about 2.5" (6.35 cm) of front and back ends 12 and 14 of ceramic greenware 10.

[0036] It is emphasized here that the occurrence of such end defects during the microwave-drying process may require the ends of ceramic greenware 10 to be cut off to remove the defective portions. This loss of material incurred during the manufacturing of the end-product ceramic articles translates into a significant annual financial loss. Reducing the defect depth from about 2.5" to about 1" would represent a substantial cost savings.

[0037] It is also desirable in the manufacturing process to dry the ceramic greenwares 10 as fast as possible while also keeping the drying process as defect-free as possible. The limitations on how fast ceramic greenwares 10 can be dried are largely a function of the amount of water in the ceramic greenware, the water removal rate and the stresses associated with shrinkage or shape change during the drying process. During the drying process, water from the interior of ceramic greenware 10 has to either travel down cells 20 to front or back ends 12 or 14, or must diffuse through a number of cell walls 22 to exit at outer surface 16. The water (moisture) removal rate at a given pressure is a function of temperature (which defines the rate of transition from the liquid state to the gas state) and the physical removal of the water (i.e., the movement of the high moisture-laden air away from outer surface 16).

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example drying system 50 that includes one or more applicators 60, such as a first applicator 60-1 through an n ^th applicator 60-/7, as shown. Each applicator 60 includes an input end 62, an output end 64, and an interior 66. The drying system 50 includes a conveyor 80 having an input area 82 adjacent input end 62 of first applicator 60-1, and an output area 84 adjacent output end 64 of n applicator 60-/1. The ceramic greenware 10 is shown as being supported by a tray 8, which in turn is supported on conveyor 80. Arrows AR1 through AR/i show the direction of movement of ceramic greenware 10 and tray 8 through drying system 50, namely, the Z-direction. The ceramic greenware 10 and tray 8 are provided on input area 82 of conveyor 80 and are removed from the conveyor at output area 84 at the completion of the drying process.

[0039] A given applicator 60 is configured to perform either microwave (MW) drying, close-coupled hot-air (CCHA) drying, or both MW drying and CCHA drying. Thus, drying system 50 is configured to perform both MW drying and CCHA drying using one or more applicators 60. Examples of CCHA drying as employed in drying system 50 are discussed in greater detail below.

[0040] FIGS. 4A through 4H are similar to FIG. 3 and show a num ber of example configurations for drying system 50 that illustrate different drying methods for ceramic greenware 10. FIG. 4A illustrates an example embodiment wherein first applicator 60-1 performs MW drying and one or more downstream applicators 60-2, ... 60-/1 are used to perform a combination of MW and CCHA drying. The combination of MW and CCHA drying constitutes a hybrid drying mode.

[0041] For example, MW drying is used first to dry ceramic greenware 10 to between 50% and 70% dryness. This level of drying is sufficient to ensure that the exterior dimensions of ceramic greenware 10 do not change dramatically on further drying, i.e., most of the shrinkage occurs in the first applicator. Then, ceramic greenware 10 is further dried (e.g., to greater than 98% dryness) using a combination of MW and CCHA drying. In another example, first applicator 60-1 is used to perform MW drying to about 30% dryness so that most (but not all) of the drying shrinkage occurs. Then, in one or more downstream applicators 60-2, ... 60-/1, a com bination of CCHA drying and MW drying is employed until the final target dryness (e.g., greater than 98% dryness) is achieved.

[0042] FIG. 4B is similar to FIG. 4A and illustrates an example drying method wherein applicators 60-1 to 60-(/i - 1) employ MW drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to up to about 75% dryness. Then, the last applicator 60-/1 dries ceramic greenware 10 using MW + CCHA drying to the final target dryness. [0043] FIG. 4C is similar to FIG. 4B and illustrates an example drying method wherein applicators 60-1 to 60-(n - 1) employ MW drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to up to about 75% dryness. Then, the last applicator 60-/1 dries ceramic greenware 10 using CCHA drying to the final target dryness. By having only the last applicator 60-/1 use exclusively CCHA drying, the cou pling distance Δχ (introduced a nd discussed below) can be 0.

[0044] FIG. 4D is similar to FIG. 4C and illustrates an example drying method wherein first applicator 60-1 employs MW drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to up to a bout 30% dryness. Then, applicators 60-2 to 60-(/i - 1) dry ceramic greenware 10 using MW + CCHA drying to up to about 90% dryness. Then, the last applicator 60-/1 employs only CCHA to bring ceramic greenware 10 up to its final target dryness. Again, by having the last applicator 60-/1 use only CCHA drying, the coupling distance Δχ (introduced and discussed below) can be 0.

[0045] FIG. 4E is similar to FIG. 4D and ill ustrates an example drying method wherein first applicator 60-1 employs CCHA drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to up to a select level of dryness, and then the remaining one or more applicators 60-2 to 60-/1 employ MW drying or CCHA drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 up to its final target dryness. By having first applicator 60-1 use only CCHA drying, the cou pling distance Δχ (introduced a nd discussed below) can be 0. By having first applicator 60-1 use only CCHA drying, Z-cel l defects can be reduced or avoided.

[0046] FIG. 4F is similar to FIG. 4E and illustrates an example drying method wherein first applicator 60-1 employs MW + CCHA drying to dry ceram ic greenware 10 to up to a first dryness. By having first applicator 60-1 use MW + CCHA drying, Z-cell defects can be reduced or avoided. Then, MW drying is employed in one or more downstream applicators 60-2 to 60-(/i - 1) to dry ceramic greenware 10 u p to a second dryness. Then, the last applicator 60-/1 employs CCHA drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to its final target dryness. In an example em bodiment, a plate can be arranged at front or back end 12 or 14 of ceram ic greenware 10 to generate heat when MW drying is used. An example plate is made of SiC, which interacts with microwaves. Then, a regular blower or vacuuming device ca n be used to create pressure gradients across cells 20 to drive air through the cells. [0047] FIG. 4G is similar to FIG. 4F and illustrates an exam ple drying method wherein one or more applicators 60-1 through 60-(n - 1) employ MW + CCHA drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to up to a first (initial) dryness. In an example em bodiment, the first dryness is up to 10%. Then, the final applicator 60-/1 employs CCHA drying to dry ceramic greenware 10 to its final target dryness.

[0048] FIG. 4H illustrates an embodiment wherein a single applicator 60 that has both MW and CCHA capa bility is employed to perform MW + CCHA drying. The drying of ceramic greenware 10 can be either in sequence (i.e., MW drying and then CCHA drying, or CCHA drying and then MW drying) or simultaneous MW and CCHA drying. The use of a single applicator 60 to perform both MW and CCHA drying is advantageous in that it saves space.

[0049] FIG. 5A is a view looking in the -Z direction of an example applicator 60 configured to perform CCHA drying of ceramic greenware 10. The ceramic greenware 10 and tray 8 are conveyed by conveyor 80 in the +Z direction, i.e., out of the page of the drawing. The applicator 60 includes a CCHA drying system 100 that has an output end 104 from which hot air 110 is emitted. The CCHA drying system 100 is arranged with output end 104 adjacent front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 to form a gap G that defines a coupling distance Δχ. This configuration al lows for CCHA drying system 100 to direct hot air 110 into ceramic greenware 10 at front end 12 so that the hot air flows through cells 20 and exits the cells at back end 14. That is, the greenware 10 (log) is dried while disposed horizontally.

[0050] FIG. 5B is similar to FIG. 5A, except that applicator 60 further includes a m icrowave source 120 that outputs microwaves 122 to perform MW drying. Th us, FIG. 5B shows an example of applicator 60 that can perform hybrid drying, i.e., MW + CCHA drying.

[0051] FIGS. 6A through 6C are close-up views of front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10, along with an example CCHA drying system 100 that includes a blower 126 and an air-guide device 130. Blower 126 has an output end 128, and air-guide device 130 has an input end 132 and an output end that defines output end 104 of CCHA drying system 100. The input end 132 of air-guide device 130 is operably coupled to output end 123 of blower 121. The blower 126 is configured to generate hot air 110 having a select temperature and a select flow rate (pressure). The hot air 110 can have a temperature range from about am bient temperature to a bout 180 °C, for example, from a bout am bient temperature to a bout 150 °C, from about ambient temperature to about 140 °C, from about ambient temperature to about 110 °C, or even from about ambient temperature to about 80 °C, where ambient temperature is room temperature or about 20-24°C. The hot air 110 can have various levels of humidity, for example, the hot air 110 can have a humidity from 0 to about 80 %RH at about 80 °C, where RH is relative humidity.

[0052] In an example embodiment, air-guide device 130 includes a tube that has either a single channel 134 as illustrated in FIG. 6A, or multiple channels 134, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C. When air-guide device 130 has multiple channels 134, it can serve as an air manifold that can provide select amounts of flow of hot air 110 as a function of position at output end 104. FIG. 6B shows an example wherein channels 134 all have the same size and provide a substantially uniform flow of hot air 110. FIG. 6C shows an example where channels 134 are not all the same size and prove a spatially modulated flow of hot air 110. In an example embodiment, air-guide device 130 defines an "air knife" that defines a select flow pattern for hot air 110 entering front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10.

[0053] In an example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6D, the size of gap G and thus the coupling distance Δχ is adjustable. The coupling distance Δχ can be adjusted, for example, by moving output end 104 of air-guide device 130 closer to front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10. In one example, coupling distance Δχ can be in the range defined by

0" < Δχ < 10" (0 cm < Δχ < 25.4 cm), while in another example, the coupling distance Δχ can be in the range defined by 0" < Δχ < 2" (0 < Δχ < 5.08 cm).

[0054] FIG. 6E illustrates an example embodiment wherein the coupling distance Δχ = 0. This is accomplished by contacting output end 104 of air-guide device 130 with front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10. In an example, the coupling distance Δχ is made as small as possible, e.g., 0.5 mm, so that air-guide device 130 is not in actual contact with ceramic greenware 10 but is so close that the coupling efficiency is substantially the same as it would be were the two in contact.

[0055] FIG. 6F is similar to FIG. 6E and illustrates an example wherein tray 8 has an edge 9, and wherein front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 is substantially flush with or slightly overhangs the tray edge. This configuration can be used to facilitate the coupling of hot air 110 into front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 without the interference of tray 8. [0056] FIG. 6G is similar to FIG. 6C and illustrates an example embodiment wherein a coupling member 150 is employed between output end 104 of air-guide device 130 and front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 to facilitate the coupling of hot air 110 into the ceramic greenware. An example coupling member 150 includes or consists of a cylindrical sleeve that covers gap G. The coupling member 150 may include a longitudinal opening that accounts for the presence of tray 8. In an example, coupling member 150 is configured so that gap G is at least partially closed off, while in another example the gap is entirely closed off. In an example, the coupling member 150 is configured so that gap G is closed off in part by tray 8 and in part by the coupling member. In an example, coupling member 150 is flexible (e.g., like a blanket), while in another example it is rigid (e.g., is a metal bracket or sleeve). An example material for a flexible coupling member 150 is rubber.

[0057] FIG. 6H is similar to FIG. 6G and shows an example coupling member 150 used in the configuration where ceramic greenware 10 extends over edge 9 of tray 8. This configuration facilitates the use of a contiguous coupling member 150, i.e., the coupling member does not need to have an opening or be otherwise configured to accommodate tray 8.

[0058] FIG. 61 is similar to FIG. 6H and illustrates an example configuration where front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 resides within output end 104 of air-guide device 130, in which in this case the coupling distance Δχ can be considered as having a negative value. Thus, in an example, the lower value of Δχ can be -2" (-5.08 cm) even - 1" (-2.54 cm). In an example, coupling member 150 can be configured to seal off any gaps that exist between air-guide device 130 and ceramic greenware 10 to optimize the coupling efficiency.

[0059] FIG. 7A is a plot of the coupling efficiency CE (in %) of heated air 110 into an example ceramic greenware 10 as a function of coupling distance Δχ (in cm) as determined by a fluid-dynamics computer simulation for flow velocities of 2 m/s (triangles) and 4 m/s (squares). In an example, the coupling efficiency CE is defined as the flow rate of heated air 110 into front end 12 of ceramic greenware 10 divided by the flow rate of heated air exiting at back end 14. The plot of FIG. 7A indicates that the coupling efficiency CE drops off to below 20% for both flow velocities when the coupling distance Δχ exceeds 10 cm but is 100% for Δχ = 0. The coupling efficiency CE also drops off faster at short coupling distances than at longer coupling distances.

[0060] FIG. 7B is a plot of the exit velocity V _E (m/s) versus coupling distance Δχ (inches) based on actual measurements performed on an example ceramic greenware 10 having dimensions D = 4.66" (11.84 cm), L = 6" (15.24), p = 600, and TH = 3.5 mil (88.9 microns). An air knife was used for the CCHA drying system 100. The input flow velocity V| was 20.8 m/s. The three curves are for pressures of 40 psi (triangles), 60 psi (diamonds) and 80 psi (squares). The coupling efficiency CE = V _E /vi ~ 30% for Δχ = 2 inches.

[0061] In an example embodiment, the volumetric flow rate R of hot air 110 from CCHA drying system 100 is in the range defined by 50 scfm < R ≤ 1500 scfm, wherein "scfm" stands for "standard cubic feet per minute." In an example, the coupling efficiency CE is 50% or greater, or even 80% or greater. Example drying times t _D for drying ceramic greenware 10 from start to finish are in the range from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. These drying times are substantially faster than conventional drying times, which are typically measured in hours. Thus, an aspect of the systems and methods disclosed herein includes rapid drying of ceramic greenwares 10. Such rapid drying increases the manufacturing rate of the end-product ceramic articles, thereby reducing the cost per article.

[0062] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the example embodiments of the disclosure as described herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereto.